Janet

Congratulations, Claire. (I fully expect to see you on The Antiques Roadshow in 2048 being told it's worth a fortune!).

Have a fab holiday.

In the UK, your fanny isn't at the back! I loathe the word bum so I would never buy one as I wouldn't know what to call it! That's a great sounding challenge.

Cilla Black has died. She was only 72. I wasn't a fan of her but it's very sad news. RIP

I wonder if there have been cases of US books being set in the UK? I'm sure there are plenty of films that have been filmed/set in different countries from their books, but I just think it's a shame as it seems to happen such a lot.

I haven't read any of her (is it a her?) books, but I know a few members are fans of M C Beaton. Happy blogging.

So, no more book buying for you on... say Tuesday for example... then?!

Sorry!

The Great Gatsby by F Scott Fitzgerald The ‘blurb’ Invited to an extravagantly lavish party in a Long Island mansion, Nick Carraway, a young bachelor who has just settled in the neighbouring cottage, is intrigued by the mysterious host, Jay Gatsby, a flamboyant but reserved newly-made man with murky business interests and a shadowy past. As the two men strike up an unlikely friendship, details of Gatsby’s impossible love for a married woman emerge, until events spiral into tragedy. Regarded as Fitzgerald’s masterpiece and one of the greatest novels of American literature, The Great Gatsby is a vivid chronicle of the excesses and decadence of the “Jazz Age”, as well as a timeless cautionary critique of the American dream. This is one of those novels that I’ve always thought I should read but kept putting off. However, when I saw an edition with the most gorgeous cover in Waterstone’s last December I snapped it up using some of the vouchers I’d been given for Christmas. Nick Carraway is a young man who moves to the fictional town of West Egg in Long Island. The area is wealthy but unfashionable and is largely inhabited by people who have made their money rather than inherited it. Nick’s cousin, Daisy, and her husband live nearby and as Nick spends time with them and their friends, and the mysterious Jay Gatsby who lives nearby, he discovers that wealth does not necessarily equal happiness. I found it to be somewhat of a slow burner, and I didn’t really like the characters – apart from Nick – and I didn’t really understand how he could be friends with them as they don’t really seem to have any redeeming features. I did get into the story and I then I enjoyed it so although it didn’t blow me away I’m glad I have read it, but it didn’t quite live up to my expectations. The paperback edition is 180 pages long and is published by Alma. It was first published in 1925. The ISBN is 9781847492586. 3½/5 (I enjoyed it) (Finished 28 May 2015)

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins The ‘blurb’ Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train… I don’t think I’d have picked this book up if it wasn’t a Book Club choice. It’s a well-crafted thriller which is told in turns by Rachel and two women called Anna and Megan. Anna is married to Rachel’s ex-husband and Megan lives nearby in the same street. Rachel passes where they live on the train every day and sees Megan (who she calls Jess) from the window and makes up a life for her. But things are not they seem – not only with Rachel but also with the lives of Anna and Megan. I started reading this book on a long train journey which seemed entirely appropriate! The nature of the book – with each chapter being fairly short and being told from opposing viewpoints – meant it was hard to put down, and luckily I had lots of time to read where I was going and therefore I read it in a couple of days. I didn’t have much sympathy for Rachel at the start of the book, but as the story unfolded I found my opinion changing, even though she’s her own worst enemy. The film rights have been sold, but unfortunately, as seems to happen all too often with British books, it’s going to be set in the US, which I think is a shame, but if the film does go ahead then no doubt I’ll give it a go! The paperback edition is pages long and is published by. It was first published in. The ISBN is 978. 4/5 (I enjoyed it) (Finished 20 May 2015)

(I hope it's not a disappointment!)

I loved Cider with Rosie, despite the whimsical nature. I've read some of Lee's other books too and have also enjoyed those. One man's meat... and all that. I've only read two Hardys so far (and not FFTMC yet), but I loved both of them, Alex, so I hope you get on with it.

Congrats on your win.

Apart from one 3/3 the I've given all those I've read so far a 4/5 or 5/5 - I think we came up with some good choices! I would possibly have never got round to Nicholas Nickleby if it wasn't for this challenge and I'm so glad I read it.

I think I said somewhere else, but I was surprised that you hadn't read this book before - I don't know why, but it seems like the kind of book you would have already read. I've read 15 since the challenge started in November 2013 - but only two of these have been during this year! The only re-read I've done is Winnie-the-Pooh. I've still to decide what to do with the counties I've already read. I may reread some but I think I'll try to make them all 'new to me' books.

I hear you - I'm currently struggling with 22 of 34! I started The Cornish Coast Murder by John Bude last night - vintage writing at its best!

It came up at a quiz Peter and I went to once and lots of people were surprised by that too! I like the original cover too, but I bought it second-hand online so I went for one where the condition was described as 'very good' - which fortunately it is. I like this cover too - and I agree it probably appeals to today's youngsters.

Thamks, Gaia. I've just finished a children's book so I'll probably leave it for a while.

My latest acquisition arrived on Saturday!

How cute!

Did anyone watch the BBCs Partners in Crime - an adaptation of Agatha Christie's Tommy and Tuppence books? I read the first book, on which the first three episodes are based, a few weeks ago as I wanted to read it before I watched. The adaptation was very different! That said, I enjoyed it and thought David Walliams and Jessica Raine were great.

What's CRH, please?

I hope you have a great time. Peter and I had never really fancied the idea of a cruise, but we are now thinking a Mediterranean city cruise might be nice. ((Hugs)) for missing your dog-persons though.

'Charlie' was the first book our Book Club read so I have a soft spot for it, even though it was, as you say, saccharine.

Yes, I though it was great. Can't wait for the next book. I also can't wait for our meet!